Athletics special meeting on Thursday
THE Athletics Eswatini executive committee has finally heeded the club’s call to hold a special meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Olymp Africa Centre. The meeting was announced by the Athletics Association Secretary Thoba Mazibuko following the recent squabbles that have rocked the association.
Things have not been rosy within the association after clubs petitioned the Association President Zakhele Dlamini and Secretary Thoba Mazibuko over several issues.
The clubs recently reported President Zakhele to the World Athletics Commission for an alleged breach of the constitution through their two representatives Gideon Mthembu and Eward Ndlangamandla.
Mthembu and Ndlangamandla recently petitioned Mazibuko to call a special meeting to resolve the squabbles within the association.
Some of the issues that were recently raised against Dlamini include the institution of disciplinary proceedings against national team coach Muzi Mabuza, who was recently slapped with a five-year suspension together with his club, the Manzini Athletics Club.
“We would like to invite member clubs to a special meeting that will start at 5.30 pm. The aim of the meeting is to address the pending issues of the association including the resignation of three board members, among others,” he said.
Mazibuko further stated that they have reported the pending issues of the association to the World Athletics and Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
He further mentioned that the world’s governing mother body intends to send an official to address the pending issues.
“The office has also been reliably informed that CAA intends to send a delegation led by General to send a delegation led by Jackson Tuwei who is also the WA Vice President to assist with seeking a lasting solution to the Federation’s challenges. We are therefore hopeful that the delegation will make it in time for the Special Assembly,” Mazibuko said.
The Athletics Association is now left with three members in Mazibuko, President
Zakhele Dlamini and Treasurer Bongani Ntshalintshali. This follows the shocking resignation of three Executive members Vice President Sipho Vilakati, Gender Equity Chairperson Dr Zabenguni Mkhatshwa and
Member Sanele Manana.
Appointed member and the association’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini also walked out of the association.